My mathematics learning journey

My experiences learning mathematics have included both positive moments and times when I struggled. One memorable experience from elementary school was learning multiplication facts. I remember feeling pressure to know the answers quickly, and I sometimes connected being fast at math with being good at math. When I knew an answer right away, I felt confident, but when I needed more time, I sometimes doubted myself. Looking back, I understand that being quick does not necessarily mean having a deeper understanding of mathematics. This experience has influenced the teacher I want to become because I do not want my future students to feel that they have to be the fastest person in the room to be successful in math. Another memory I have is learning mathematics by following step-by-step procedures. I liked having clear examples because they helped me know what to do when a problem seemed difficult. However, I sometimes focused more on remembering the steps than understanding why the strategies worked.

I want visitors to leave this page understanding that our experiences with mathematics can have a lasting impact on how we see ourselves as learners. Some of my experiences helped me feel confident, while others made me realize how easily students can become discouraged when they feel pressured to be fast or get every answer correct. Struggling with mathematics does not mean a student is not capable of learning it. My experiences have helped me recognize the importance of patience, encouragement, productive struggle, and understanding the “why” behind mathematical concepts. As a future teacher, I want to use what I have learned from my own experiences to create a classroom where students feel safe making mistakes, asking questions, trying different strategies, and growing in confidence.